Moving Tips For Your Next Move

Congratulations! You bought the home of your dreams. Unfortunately, it’s time for the dreaded and unavoidable event… moving. However, almost everyone does end up moving at some point, there are plenty of tried-and-true moving tips out there to make the whole process easier. Following a moving checklist can help you make sure everything’s in order before, during, and after the move; another good moving tip is to commit to having a good attitude about all the changes to come. Some moving tips focus on packing advice, while others offer reminders to cancel various services or arrange for things to be prepared at the new house; still more focus on smaller details, such as how to care for pets during a move or what to do when the movers are late. 

Let’s get into our moving tips, tricks, and advice:

• Get rid of everything

We all have a bunch of junk that we don’t necessarily need to follow us with each move. We recommend cutting back on excess and clutter as much as possible. Before you pack a single box, do a merciless purge of unused or unnecessary items. You’ll have less to pack, less to move, and less to unpack—and you’ll start life in your new space with a clean slate.

• Make a moving folder

Start collecting new addresses, rental or purchase papers, moving contracts, and more in one folder. (Consider a hard copy, rather than a digital one, in case your computer or your phone batteries die during the move.) If any questions come up during the planning process or the move itself, you’ll have the answer (and records of agreements, payments, and more) on hand. Plus, having them on hand can 

• Pack as far in advance as possible

Most of us have a general idea of when we need to be packed up and ready to go. To alleviate any unnecessary stress, we recommend that you start by packing off-season items and the items you won’t miss. When it’s time to pack everything up, many items will already be ready to go. In the stressful final weeks and days just before the move, you won’t be worried about not getting everything packed in time.

• Book early

If you’re hiring moving services, renting supplies, or having services such as painters or cleaners work on the house, book early. Waiting to do so could mean paying a higher price or not being able to get a truck or movers at all, particularly if it’s peak moving season (April through September is typically peak moving time).

• Schedule utilities for you new place

We know you’re probably very excited to get to your new home. In the excitement of it all, make sure you remember to get your utilities up and running before arriving. You don’t want to arrive there, tired from the move, to find that the electricity, water, or heat is off. Schedule it ahead of time, and keep records of your requests in your moving folder. At the same time, request service stops for your move-out date at your current home.

• Keep the essentials with you

We may use to having everything at the tip of our hands when we’re home, but we realistically can live without it all. Keep this in mind when packing. On the night before the move, tuck everyday essentials—a change of clothes, a toothbrush, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids, medications, paperwork, etc.—into a suitcase or bag you’ll keep with you in the car, the truck cab, or on the plane. If catastrophe strikes and the moving truck gets lost, at least you’ll have some essentials with you. 

• Use the right size boxes

Put heavy items, like books, in small boxes; light items, like linens and pillows, in bigger ones. (Large boxes packed with heavy items are a common complaint of professional movers. They not only make the job harder but also have a better chance of breaking.)

• Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes

Fill in gaps with clothing, towels, or packing paper. Movers often won’t move boxes that feel loosely packed or unbalanced.

• Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box

It will make your packing quicker and your unpacking a lot easier, too.

• Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents

This will help you and your movers know where every box belongs in your new place. Numbering each box and keeping an inventory list in a small notebook is a good way to keep track of what you’ve packed―and to make sure you still have everything when you unpack.

A lot can go wrong during a move. (A lot can go right, too). With all the details and moving parts, there’s no one-size-fits-all guide with moving tips for every single scenario that could come up during the moving process. Different people will have specific needs or concerns—an antique china collection, valuable wood furniture, delicate heirlooms—that may require special accommodations, but for most cases, this general list of moving tips and tricks will help.